...Posts Sharing Examples of How the Bible is Still Relevant in Our Lives Today (Posted on Monday and Thursday mornings)

Monday, May 29, 2017

The Bible Provides Guidelines for Our Lives, Not Beholding to Anyone, and They Care for Their Own posts

Since Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life, is now on line through individual posts, I am now putting several links together for each post. I found groupings of three posts worked well for anyone interested in using these for a Bible study group. Debbie Seiling

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only deceiving your own selves. James, Chapter 1, verses 19-22.

But whoso looketh into the perfect Law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James, Chapter 1, verse 25.

This is of special importance to me right now, because a minor matter has worked a wedge in my relationship with someone I care about. God didn’t put these words in the Bible to be something nice for us to read. He had the Bible written to provide guidelines for our lives and to remind us how things like anger, resentment and hatred can subtly interfere with our relationship with God and others. I can read this passage and just say, “Yeah, God is right. I shouldn’t let wedges develop between others and me,” and then do nothing further about it. Or I can be an example of how God works in my life by taking the first step, however awkward it might be to set things right. The choice is up to us.

Now we command you, brethren, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us; for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our Word by this Epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now the Lord of Peace Himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians, Chapter 3, verses 6-16.

Apostle Paul was talking about how the followers of Jesus didn’t want to be beholding to anyone or to be perceived as taking advantage of others. When they stayed with people as they went around spreading the Word of God, they worked for their food. Paul was saying that this is the way it should be and those who didn’t work shouldn’t eat.

He was into “Reality Therapy”. Those Christians who didn’t work and let others do all the work while they found time to be busybodies and visit, shouldn’t be given food. He thought this would motivate them to talk less and to work more, that is…if they planned on eating.

He said that Christians shouldn’t hang around people who were not obeying the Word of God. Maybe this shame might motivate others to change their behavior, but goes on to say that they shouldn’t treat that person like their enemy either. They are doing these things to help motivate the person to make changes in their behavior choices, in the same way you might treat a brother who was going astray.

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1 Timothy, Chapter 5, verse 8.

I remember hearing this over the years, “They take care of their own.” Well, God is telling us this is exactly what we are supposed to do. There is a big difference between empowering and enabling, though. So, our help should be supportive in a way that maintains the person’s self-respect, encouraging them always to make positive choices in their lives.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.

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Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life

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About the Author:

Having read the Bible from cover to cover 16+ times, I felt led to write Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life to show that the Bible is still significant in our lives today. Since these posts are examples of how I apply the Bible to my daily life, they don't necessarily represent the whole meaning of the Bible passages. Will you relate to these Bible passages in the same ways that I have? My desire is that through these examples, you will learn to relate to the Bible in a way that is personally significant to you!

Book ISBN Numbers

PB: 9781418412180
HB: 9781418412173
eB: 9781418412197

Previous Cover and Pen Name

Links to Other Blogs I Felt Led to Create:

Types of Christians Posts Link

Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!

Easy Bible Study with Examples to Make Bible Connections to Self,Text, World, and Media

Read the Book for Free:

Read Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life for Free! Click on the Archive on 2015 and when you read the posts from 8/3/15 through 9/22/16 , you will have read the complete book. Feel free to share this info with others. P.S. It doesn't really matter if you read the posts out of sequence (top down). Enjoy! Debra Seiling

Free2ShareVBS Link

Free VBS Curriculum

A Christian Caregiver Blog

Trying to Maintain a Focus on Christ's Will While Providing Care for a Parent

Review by Rev. Gordon

Debra Seiling's "Bible Passages" is an interesting book to read. Written in narrative form after reading the Bible multiple times, I did not find Debra's book to be "preachy" or holier-than-thou". While I do not believe Debra's book was intended to be-or will be-used as a textbook, it does contain multiple revelations of one person's assessment and truths with regard to what impact God's Word has had on her life in the past, at present, and as she expects it will in the future. Is the Bible relevant to us in today's world? What Debra Seiling has written in her book, the answer to that question is a resounding: "YES!"

Lilybean's Review

I have been using this book a little differently than just as a reading book. As a daily devotional or study book, it is wonderful. All you have to do is open it up to any page, read the passage and the short narrative and begin your personal study, meditation or group discussion. Because it is written in plain English, it would be perfect for a youth group or high school group. Don't let the lack of sections and headers, or the simple layout dissuade you. It would be a great book to get discussions going for an ice breaker or as a whole study session. Let the author comment, let the Spirit speak to you, and you will find value in this book.

Author's Disclosure

Readers should know that any profits I get from the sale of the book: Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life are donated to a charity of my choice, which varies from time to time. I do not receive any money or compensation from any business and any charity links on my blogs link directly to the charity. I don't feel right getting money for doing what God has led me to do for Him. Debbie